Prof. Glen Kuecker Speaks Out on Free Trade

November 8, 2001

November 8, 2001, Greencastle, Ind. - A protest in downtown Indianapolis yesterday against so-called "fast track authority," which would allow the president to negotiate trade deals without the threat of amendments by Congress, brought out factory workers, farmers, a congressional candidate and DePauw University Professor Glen Kuecker. The rally took place across the street from the Indiana Convention Center, where a free trade conference was taking place.

Protestors claim "fast track" would hurt American workers and poor foreign countries, arguments that were documented in a story in today's Indianapolis Star business section. "'Free trade is a wonderful idea if everybody is equal,' said Glen Kuecker, a professor of Latin American history at DePauw University in Greencastle, who spoke at the rally. But workers, particularly in such countries as Mexico, are not equal players with the United States and its corporations, he said," the paper reported.

Supporters of fast track maintain the measure before the House of Representatives would keep Congress from making changes in negotiated trade agreements, something that they argue makes it difficult to negotiate in good faith and get deals done.

You can read the entire Star article, which was written by 2001 DePauw graduate J.K. Wall, by clicking here.